a town of Wiltshire, in England, 95 miles from London. It stands on a hill, with five bridges over the river Avon at the bottom; with which, and a brook that runs into it, it is in a manner encompassed. It formerly had walls and a castle, which were pulled down to enlarge the abbey, which was the biggest in Wiltshire, and its abbot sat in parliament. The Saxon King Athelstan granted the town large immunities, and was buried under the high altar of the church, and his monument still remains in the nave. The memory of Aldhelm, its first abbot, who was the king's great favourite, and whom he got to be canonized after his death, is still kept up by a meadow near this town, called Aldhelm's Mead. By charter of King William III., the corporation consists of an alderman, who is chosen yearly, 12 capital burgesses, and 4 assistants, land-holders and commoners. Here is an almshouse for 4 men and 4 women, and near the bridge an hospital for lepers, where it is supposed there was formerly a nunnery. This town drives a considerable trade in the woollen manufactory; has a market on Saturday, and three fairs. It has sent members to parliament ever since the 26th of Edward I.

William of Malmsbury. See William.